I’m considering signing up, but my health insurance card is currently being issued through my new workplace, so I don’t have it on hand. I also don’t have a photo ID. I do have other documents that can verify my identity, such as a residence certificate and a cash card. What should I do?

Maezawa here. If you don’t have a driver’s license but want a photo ID, some people choose to get a passport even if they have no plans to travel abroad. Once you have one, it can also be used as identification in the future, which is convenient. It’s expensive, but it’s valid for five or ten years, and there’s something reassuring about already having one when you suddenly decide you want to travel overseas. You might even start hoping, “Maybe if I become close with a man I meet here, he’ll take me on an overseas trip?” (That’s usually a bit of a long shot, though ＞＜) So, getting a passport is one option I recommend. Another possibility is the My Number Card, but Universe does not accept it. The government has been actively telling private companies that My Number Cards can be used as identification, and has even sent notifications to government ministries, prefectures, and other authorities to promote them. However, Universe has decided not to accept them as identification, going against the government’s position. They’re quite a rebellious company. (笑) I’ve tried telling them, “There’s nothing to gain from going against the government, so why not accept it as ID?”—but they won’t budge. (笑) A My Number Card serves as identification using only the front side, so the back side isn’t necessary. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a problem even if copying the back were prohibited. However, because handling all of that is complicated, Universe has decided not to accept My Number Cards. ＞＜ Other options include an employee ID card with a photo. If it doesn’t have a photo, an employee ID card together with a cash card is also acceptable. There are other forms of identification that may be accepted as well, so feel free to ask when you apply.